Great Wolf Lodge Southern California is Now Open in Garden Grove

Over the year, those who have driven along Harbor Blvd near the Disneyland Resort have noticed a rather large hotel and indoor water park being constructed in the Garden Grove. The Great Wolf Lodge, a chain of hotel water parks located around the United States, has opened their first California location.

The $205 million dollar, 603 room hotel opened it’s doors to the booming Orange County tourism market in Februray 2016. Guests of the hotel can take advantage of the ultimate amenity, a 105,000 square-foot climate controlled, indoor water park. The water park is only available to the hotel guests, who can then invite friends and family to join them for an additional fee of $40 per person up to the room’s capacity. The indoor portion of the Great Wolf Lodge water park is climate controlled to 84 degrees. Of course a short selling point here in Southern California where that’s near the average daily temperature. Still, on those sweltering 95 degree summer days, 84 may be a pleasant cool down. Especially after spending all day walking around the crowded Disneyland Resort.

The water park also includes an outdoor pool, a water-basketball pool, a lazy river and plenty of lounge opportunities.

Family Suite at The Great Wolf Lodge SoCal in Garden Grove

Kid Cabin Suite at The Great Wolf Lodge SoCal in Garden Grove

A quick check of the Great Wolf Lodge website shows room rates start at $250 per night, and can soar to $600 per night, depending on time of year and room selection. And although that may seem a bit steep, consider the exclusive access to the water park and the cost of staying on property at the Disneyland Resort can easily start at $450 per night.

The Great Wolf Lodge is themed towards an outdoor type experience. Similar to the sights you may see in a National Park. The lodge is constructed of exposed wooden beams and rocks. The lobby includes a large fireplace, and some rooms include small log style cabin areas for the kids.

There are activities for the kids located throughout the hotel such as character appearances by The Great Wolf Lodge mascot Wiley the Wolf, dance parties, face painting, an arcade, a glow in the dark 9-hole miniature golf course and bowling alley, a kids spa and more.

There are several restaurants and food locations throughout The Great Wolf Lodge. The Lodge Wood Fired Grill is a full service restaurant with menu items such as wood fired steaks, seafood and smoked ribs. The Loose Moose Family Kitchen is a buffet style restaurant offering hamburgers, hotdogs and breakfast items. Fast service locations are also scattered throughout The Great Wolf Lodge, they include: Hungry as Wolf featuring pizza and sandwiches, Bear Paw Sweets and Eats serving ice cream and other treats, and America’s favorite Dunkin’ Donuts.

Coyote Cannon Water Slide at The Great Wolf Lodge SoCal in Garden Grove

Whooping Hollow Water Slide at The Great Wolf Lodge SoCal in Garden Grove

Ten Paw Alley Mini Golf at The Great Wolf Lodge SoCal in Garden Grove

The local impact to Orange County and Garden Grove is obvious when talking about jobs and tourism. There were nearly 48 million visitors to the OC in 2015 and Disney just announced record theme park attendance and profits. Although Disney doesn’t share specific attendance numbers for each park, the Parks and Resorts division saw in increase of 22% in attendance, 10% of which was at Disney’s domestic resorts in 2015. Job creation is also in the mix, The Great Wolf Lodge is in the process of hiring 700 to help staff the hotel and water park.

The Great Wolf Lodge is now open and accepting reservations. This new hotel and water park is expected to be a big hit in the Anaheim and Garden Grove resort districts near Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, the Anaheim Convention Center, and Anaheim Stadium. In fact, just checking their site for room rates showed quite a few “sell outs” through the month of June. Vist Greatwolf.com/southern-california to book a reservation. Use promo code “SOCAL” for 25% off with a stay from now through September 30, 2016.